Toolbox Talk: Trips & Falls on the Job Site

Consider the following statistics:

A. Falls cause more than 26,000 deaths per year; 20% of all accidental deaths occur as a result of falls.

B. Reasons for falls can be broken down into two classifications:

• Unsafe acts - hurrying in danger spots, failure to use lifelines, safety harness, etc., where required.

• Unsafe physical conditions - using a ladder with cracked rungs, stairs with uneven treads, floor, and wall openings not covered, no handrail, unsafe scaffolding, etc.

Have any falls occurred on this project?

A. Identify spots on the job where falls are likely to occur.

B. Ask each foreman to survey their operations, noting particularly the following conditions which are the major causes of falls:

• Are there dangerous projections from the floors or walkways?

• Are there any unprotected holes in floors or walkways?

• Are there any ladders or scaffolds with defects that might cause falls?

• Are there any materials stored on stairs or walkways that prevent safe passage?

• Is oil, grease, or water allowed to accumulate on floors or walkways?

• Are special non-slip surfaces needed at any point?

• Are properly-constructed handrails and guard rails provided on stairs and scaffolds?

• Are safety harnesses and lifelines provided as needed?

While some of the above items cannot be eliminated in construction work, knowledge of each hazard by every employee will help reduce fall frequency. Eliminate some fall hazards, provide guards or controls for others, and caution your workers about the rest.